Well 2018 flew by fast, didn’t it? That probably means there is still some holiday shopping to do. That’s the same story for many people. It’s the same story every year for most people. Last-minute shopping, a rush to do some shopping, and of course scouting out for some hard-earned holiday sales. We’ve got some options for you.

Merchant Christmas Party

Maybe this isn’t exactly shopping, but why not start off by loosening up and having a party with some of the local businesses in Chetwynd at the Merchant Christmas Party in the Chetwynd & District Rec Centre. The event happens on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 5:00 PM. Tickets are $50 per person, with no minors allowed. Get to know some of the local businesses and snag a couple ideas for those hard-to-shop-for people on your Christmas list.

Downtown Vegas Shop Night

Vegas comes to Dawson Creek with this twist on holiday shopping. The twist is: the more you shop, the better your chances are of winning the grand sweepstakes. Check out the 3rd Annual Downtown Vegas Shop Night on Friday, December 14, 2018 from 5 PM to 8 PM for a chance to win. If you’re kicking yourself for leaving your shopping to the last minute, then you could reward yourself by possibly winning the the top prize. This is a great way to shorten that Christmas list, while getting your game on, and having a bit of fun.

Pictures with Santa

Of course, there is the traditional way of shortening your shopping list: the local mall. Check out Dawson Creek mall to make that last push to get the perfect gift for everyone. Jazz up your shopping experience by taking a break and getting Pictures With Santa on Saturday (December 15) and Sunday (December 16), from 11 AM to 4 PM. Don’t forget to decorate and enjoy your own cookie while you wait. Photos range between $5 and $20 depending on how you want to receive your photo.

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Moral of the story is: it is best to get your shopping done sooner than later. Hopefully we all learn our lesson for next year (yeah, right!). Nonetheless, if you’re travelling from out of town then be sure to check out the right accommodations. Pomeroy Inn and Suites offers wonderful, comfortable, and cozy rooms in both Chetwynd and Dawson Creek. Expect the quality you deserve.

Love horses, beer, and Bavarian culture? Make sure to visit Olds, Alberta to go check out their annual Oldstoberfest. Old’s is home to the World’s first Bavarian Rodeo and this event happens every third week of September! This year, Oldstoberfest will be happening on September 14thand 15th. There will be a rodeo and concerts happening both days as well as a public free market! The Oldstoberfest Picket Fence Market will have a cash bar, cash kitchen with a dining area, door prizes, and a silent auction! The schedule for the two-day event this year will be:

Friday, September 14th

5:30 PM – Pro Rodeo Performance

8:00 PM – Grandstand Concert

9:30 PM – Oldstoberfest Biergartens

Saturday, September 15th

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Oldstoberfest Picket Fence Market

8:00 AM – Pro Rodeo Slack

5:30 PM – Pro Rodeo Performance

8:30 PM – Grandstand Concert

9:30 PM – Oldstoberfest Biergartens

If you love Bavarian culture then this event is definitely for you! Two days filled with various activities that are perfect for the whole family, friends, or even if you want to attend solo. Whether you are looking to do some dancing at the concert, watch some rodeo professionals or just eat some delicious Bavarian food. This event will definitely create long lasting memories with so many exciting activities.

This year, make sure to stay in the official host hotel for Oldstoberfest, the Pomeroy Inn & Suites. With the feeling of a rural lodge with modern amenities provided you’ll definitely feel like you’re in Bavaria without giving up any comforts. You’ll also be able to enjoy a deluxe complimentary hotel breakfast which is included with your stay as well as access to a pool, fitness facility, waterslide, hot tub and a business centre to make your stay even more comfortable.

If you’re going to be passing through or anywhere near Fort Saint John on your next trip, be sure to explore the plethora of wildlife and activities to do in our Northern Provincial Parks! These vast parks remain pristine and protected by the local community and government - a real privilege that we have these public areas in Canada! Read on to learn more, and get ready to explore:

Charlie Lake Provincial Park

This park is among the highest-rated Provincial Park in Ft St John on Trip Advisor, and for good reason - there is everything you could want to see and do there! The region is home to many species of wildlife; especially our feathered friends, making this a great location for bird-watching. While you’re there, you may also see squirrels, chipmunks, and beavers, and maybe even a muskrat! Although it is located close to the highway, it is remarkably quiet, making it a beautiful spot for enjoying outdoor activities like canoeing, cycling, fishing, hiking, or swimming. There’s even a playground for the kids!

Beatton Provincial Park

Beatton is a year-round, 320-hectare park with activities for all fitness levels! Located not far from Charlie Lake, Beatton also has its own recreational lake large enough to accommodate for fishing, canoeing, swimming, waterskiing, and even windsurfing! If you’re not enticed by being on the water, you can also escape to hike under the shade of the forest nearby. In the winter, Beatton is also a hot-spot for ice fishing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing! You may even spot a deer or moose around that time of year as well. There’s so many reasons to visit, and then come back again and again!

Peace River Corridor Provincial Park

The Peace River Corridor offers a whopping 2014 hectares of land to explore, with activities such as canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and wildlife viewing! Most excitingly, you can also explore the park’s three islands:

-Peace River Corridor Island Site: This spot is best for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, with picnicking areas for when you need a rest.

-Wak’anaahtaah: The name translates to “a place to look at”, since its landscape is so beautiful! Look for the ‘hoodoos’, also sometimes described as ‘fairy chimneys’, which are geological rock formations which protrude upward like a misshapen pyramid. They are definitely worth seeing at least once!

-Alces River: This island offers a scenic viewpoint, with mostly grassland on the way up. There is also a picnic site looking over the Peace River. The island contains very few trees, so pack lots of water and try this hike earlier in the day to avoid sunstroke!

Kiskatinaw Provincial Park

This mini provincial park, sitting at just 58 hectares wide, is small but beautiful. During the second world war, this bridge was built as a connector highway between Alaska, Canada, and the U.S., allowing troops to pass through quickly during the Threat of the Japanese invasion. Due to the shape of the Kiskatinaw river, the engineers had to curve the trestle bridge to follow the highway. Even today, it is still a sight to see, and is the only bridge of its kind in Western Canada! The path to the trail is an easy one, but the bridge is worth experiencing! If you’re looking for something more active, the park also allows for swimming, fishing, and cycling.

We hope that if you decide to explore these beautiful landmarks, then you’ll choose the comfortable route and stay with us so you’re rested and refreshed when you continue your journey! We offer a swimming pool and waterslide to wake up in the morning along with continental breakfast, and the most comfortable ‘Hypnos’ beds - the same ones supplied to the Royal family in England! If you prefer to cook for yourself, we also have suites with a full kitchen for short or extended stays! Book now for the best service in Ft St John!

Dawson City is sure to be buzzing next month, as the city comes together to celebrate its Agricultural Show, Rodeo and Exhibition, which is also known as the ‘Greatest Show in the Peace’ from Wednesday August 9 to Sunday August 13. Here’s are five reasons why you shouldn’t miss it…

Reason #1: Because There’ll Be Great Music

You’ll find Dan Davidson playing in the fair’s Waterin’ Hole on August 11 and 12. Alberta’s newest country sensation exploded onto the Canadian country music scene last year with the release of his second single, Found. The single rocketed up the charts and Dan became the #1 charting indie artist in Canada.

Reason #3: Because You’re Tough Enough to Wear Pink

Want to help raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer? Then wear pink to the rodeo. The special ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ campaign is one way for you to help put this important health issue at the forefront of rodeo season. It’s a whole lot of fun too.

Reason #4: Because Who Doesn’t Like Free Pancakes?

The Sunday Pancake Breakfast is completely free with the purchase of your gate admission. Make your way to the food booth area on Sunday August 14 from 7am to 8:30am and eat as many pancakes as your heart desires.

Reason #5: Because it’ll all go off with a Bang!

There’ll be fireworks on Thursday August 10, Friday August 11 and Saturday August 12 at 10:30pm. Prepare to be dazzled.

All that rodeo fun can tire you out, so book a room at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites Dawson Creek for your rodeo getaway. When you’re not living it up at the Greatest Show in Peace, you can take advantage of the 24-hour fitness centre, indoor pool and whirlpool.

Brace yourself for some serious hockey action in Dawson Creek and Fort St John this November, because the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is coming to town!

You could well find yourself face-to-face with the superstars of tomorrow at the tournament. As the first step in Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence, the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge includes three Canadian teams and five international entries in a tournament that showcases of the future stars of the game.

The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge has long been a starting point for professional careers, with an incredible 1,600 NHL draft picks having played in the prestigious tournament.

The pre-tournament schedule will see plenty of action from Canada, Finland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Russia and the United States on November 2 at Fort St John’s North Peace Arena and Dawson Creek’s Encana Events Centre.

The tournament itself will then take place at the same locations from November 5 to November 11. Several tournament packages are available and they can be bought here.

If you’re going to Dawson Creek to catch the action, check out the Pomeroy Inn & Suites Dawson Creek. When you’re not living it up at the tournament, you can take advantage of the 24-hour fitness centre, indoor pool and whirlpool.

Alternatively, if you’re going to stay in Fort St John during the tournament, the Pomeroy Fort St John Hotel is a great option. This ultra-modern gem embraces the concept of urban luxury in spectacular fashion.

Fort St. John is many things: a place to work, and a place to play; a community, and a staging grounds for further northern adventures; a small town and a northern paradise. Whatever brings you here, you’ll receive a warm welcome to fight the cold outside.

CANADIAN JUNIOR LONG TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018

Fort St. John plays host to the Canadian Junior Long Track Championships 2018, where the nation’s top speed skaters will compete for the gold! Track skating is one of the most incredible shows of skill and athleticism in the world, and this is your chance to see the best of the best putting it all on the line. With multiple age categories, this is where the next generation of Olympic athletes will prove themselves!

Whether you’re an athlete, or just supporting one, a coach or just a fan looking to witness the birth of a new generation of star athletes, we hope you’ll stay at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites. With locations in Grimshaw, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, and Vegreville, we offer outstanding value for incredible comfort for everyone passing through Northern Alberta and BC! Many of our locations have swimming pools, hot tubs, and fitness centres so your training doesn’t have to slip – and neither does your relaxation!

Race day? Carb up with our complimentary big breakfasts, featuring our famous make-your-own Belgian waffle station! Top it with a variety of healthy fruit, or just opt for some delicious yogurt and granola. It’s your stay – enjoy it your way!

And if you ARE racing, you need a good night’s rest. Our rooms come equipped with Hypnos beds, AKA “the most comfortable beds in the world!” Rest, recover, and hit the ice the next day knowing you’re in top form!

Here in the Peace Country, people work hard. And as we all know, people who work hard PLAY HARD. There are some upcoming events that are going to be crazy fun! Check them out!

MILE ZERO MELTDOWN WITH SHINEDOWN!

Dawson Creek’s Encana Events Centre is one of the premier venues of the Peace Country, and it attracts world-class performers for some of the best concerts you’ll ever see. On March 30, 101.5 THE BEAR are bringing SHINEDOWN to Peace Country to disturb The Peace with their hardcore alt-rock sound.

Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, Shinedown have had the third most singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts, behind only Van Halen and Three Days Grace – that means they’re among the best of the best. They’ll blow the roof of Encana with hit songs like “Devour,” “I Dare You” and “If You Only Knew.”

Supporting Shinedown will be LA freak metal band In This Moment, who perform in movie monster make-up with sexy back-up dancers showing you how to rock along, as well as Saskatoon rockers One Bad Son and Tennessee alt-rockers 10 Years. Altogether, it’s going to be completely unforgettable. Tickets here.

LIDO ROCKS IN FORT ST. JOHN

Fort St. John’s Lido bar is an awesome venue with a storied history. On Friday, April 13 come sees The Johnny McCuaig Band as they rock out… with bagpipes! Playing traditional rock and roll with a distinctly Scottish twist, these celtic rockers always kick off a fantastic time. Opening for Johnny McCuaig will be local rockers Roadworn. It’s going to a great time! Find out more here.

Whether you’re working or playing in Peace Country, you’ll find a hotel you can trust in all these Northern communities: Grimshaw, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, and Vegreville. If you’re heading to Northern Alberta or British Columbia, Pomeroy is a name you can trust. Book your stay today!

PEACE RIVER HERITAGE RUN

Peace River is one of the most beautiful places in the world to get out on your own two feet and explore. That makes the Peace River Heritage Run one of the most incredible experiences you’re ever going to have! Whether you’re up for the half marathon, the 10K run or 5K run, the team 10K relay or the FREE kids’ race, this is one of the most gorgeous tracks in the world. Put on your sneakers, warm up and get out into nature on Sunday, June 11!

FALHER HONEY FESTIVAL AND RODEO

Falher is a small town with big fun in the Peace River region! On the weekend of June 15-17, visit for the Honey Festival, a local tradition of the sweetest kind!

The Honey Festival isn’t just about honey. Check here for a full list of events for the Honey Fest weekend, but if you don’t have a sweet tooth you’ll also be able to watch bull-riding, take part in a slo-pitch tournament, watch live music from TJ Ruckus (among others) and enjoy pancake breakfasts! It’s a packed line-up for what is sure to be one of most exciting weekends in the region.

COLOURED IN FUN RUN!

Taking place in Manning on Father’s Day, June 17, the Coloured in Fun Run is a 5K race with a twist! Get pelted with colour bombs and water while running the course! And when that’s all done, you can laugh and PARTY with your fellow participants!

No need to sign up in advance – just show up half an hour before the heat you want to run!

When visiting the Peace River region, you’ll find your best accommodations at a Pomeroy Inn & Suites. With locations throughout the region we provide service and comfort you can rely on!

Ever heard of a Bavarian Rodeo? Probably not, because, until last year, such a thing didn’t exist. That is, until the Oldstoberfest was created as way to meld German and Albertan culture while showcasing the best assets of the city of Olds, including the Olds College Hospitality and Tourism Program, The Olds College Brewery and the National Meat Training Center.

The big attractions at the 3 day event are:

Bier Garden

Raise your glass to great bear in this authentic Bavarian bier hall, complete with long table, traditional german bands and some of Alberta’s best German-style beer.

Concerts

This year’s headliners are country stars Dallas Smith and Kira Isabell, two of the biggest performers to play Olds in recent memory.

Rodeo

This rodeo might have a playful Bavarian theme, but make no mistake: the events are of professional quality. Come on down and watch some of the province’s best rodeo performers give it their all!

An all-access weekend pass to Oldstoberfest can be yours for just $79. Or, you can buy tickets for individual concerts.

Visitors to Dawson’s Creek have plenty to explore, and we’ve compiled a little list of a few top attractions here in town just for you. Make sure to stop by our place, the Pomeroy Inn & Suites Dawson Creek, for the best accommodation at the best rates in town. We’ll see you soon!

Travel Back In Time At Walter Wright Pioneer Village

Check out what life was life before iPhones and (gasp!) the Internet! This pioneer village is a blast to the past with old schoolhouses, a fire hall with an ancient fire truck, a telephone exchange, a church, a blacksmith, a café and a few homesteads. The village is named after Walter Wright, a local with a passion for history, and close on August 31, so get in before it shuts down for the fall and winter seasons!

Cool Off At Rotary Lake

A man-made oasis of a lake, Rotary Lake has great summer swimming and lots of places to sit for a picnic, play beach ball games and relax with the family. There is a concession food stand and public washrooms onsite, but the swimming area is not watched over by a lifeguard so make sure you keep your eye on your little ones!

Catch A Show At EnCana Events Centre

Dawson Creek’s major events centre hosts concerts, shows and exhibitions year-round so there’s a good chance something cool will be happening no matter when you happen to come into town. This August 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., EnCana hosts the Touch A Truck free event and fundraiser, where you will get a chance to hop into emergency vehicles, work trucks, a Zamboni and more! All proceeds from special booths inside the free event go to support a local non-profit dedicated to provided transportation for seniors and those unable to use public transit.

Wander The Farmers’ Market

Grab a snack and check out the local artisanal talent at the Farmers’ Market. Find everything from handmade soap to preserves to furniture made by the people of the Peace. The market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Dawson Creek.